Police minister reveals 302 lives lost on Queensland roads in 2024

With Queensland’s death toll on state roads reaching more than 300, the police minister and Police Commissioner have urged motorists to step up and do the right thing to protect their loved ones and other road users during the busy holiday period.

Police minister Dan Purdie speaking about road safety at a press conference in Alexandra Headland.

Amid the highest death toll on Queensland roads in 15 years, police are urging motorists to drive to survive, particularly during the holiday season.

The Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Dan Purdie said on December 30 police would be conducting a statewide road safety blitz during New Year’s Eve.

Mr Purdie said the death toll on Queensland roads had reached 302, which he labelled as “totally unacceptable” as the highest number in more than 15 years.

He made reference to the recent Operation Mistletoe which saw marked and unmarked police motorcycles on the roads on top of local police officers working through the holiday period to keep road users safe.

Since its launch, Operation Mistletoe has caught 1150 drink and drug drivers so far, which Mr Purdie named a “troubling result” in a media statement.

Police have dedicated 22,200 hours to the operation and issued 11,685 infringements to unsafe drivers.

Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski speaking about road safety at a press conference in Alexandra Headland.

631 drink drivers, 519 positive drug results, 6922 speeding offences, 142 seat belt offences and 90 infringements for mobile phone offences have been recorded by the operation as of December 29.

“Don’t be a bloody idiot, drive to survive, make sure the holiday period for you and your family ends happily,” Mr Purdie said.

Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said 25 more lives were lost on the state’s roads than last year, with about 95 per cent stemming from the fatal five behaviours – speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue and distraction.

Police minister Dan Purdie speaking about road safety at a press conference in Alexandra Headland.

“We’ve got an opportunity coming into 2025 to really turn this around,” he said.

Police have been active on the roads conducting RBTs and monitoring for speed, which Mr Gollschewski assures officers will continue.

He urged commuters to practice patience during the holiday period, with roads becoming busy and congested.

Mr Gollschewski said officers from local stations, including on the Sunshine Coast, were disappointed in the high number of detections from RBTs.

“We will continue to ramp up our ability to go out policing,” Mr Gollschewski said.

When asked about reducing the death toll, Mr Gollschewski said police were working hard to free up time and streamline their systems to allow officers to monitor the conduct of motorists.

“We’re seeing really promising signs on what’s going to happen in Making Queensland Safer laws, but also what we’re trying to do in domestic and family violence as an organisation,” he said.

Police were conducting roadside breath tests along Alexandra Parade on December 30.

“Of course, I’m happy to say we are still recruiting police officers.”

Mr Gollschewski said any changes to fines in regards to drink and drug drivers would be a matter for the state government, but police would continue their efforts.

“Even with 13,000 police officers in the state, there are over five million people,” he said.

“Every single citizen in this state has to make good choices when they get into vehicles.

Police minister Dan Purdie speaking to a police officer conducting roadside breath tests on Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland.

“We need the community to step up and do the right thing.”

Mr Purdie said in the media statement the Crisafulli Government was committed to keeping motorists safe and holding drivers to account.

“We will not tolerate drivers who disregard the Fatal Five, ruining other people’s celebrations and risking lives,” Mr Purdie said.

“Many of the fatalities have been the result of speeding, drink driving and driver inattention, all of which could have been avoided.”

“Driving under the influence can have deadly consequences, which is why you’ll see an increase in our enforcement efforts over the coming days.”

Originally published as Police minister reveals 302 lives lost on Queensland roads in 2024